In Thailand, the police have arrested the 66-year-old abbot of one of the country’s oldest Buddhist temples on suspicion of embezzling over 92 million baht — approximately $2.8 million — from the temple’s funds. A 47-year-old woman was also arrested alongside him; according to the investigation, she helped to conceal the money. During the investigation, law enforcement officers also obtained CCTV footage showing the monk having sex with her at his residence. Following his arrest, he was stripped of his monastic status.
- A 66-year-old abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan has been detained in Thailand.
- He is suspected of embezzling more than $2.8 million in church funds.
- A 47-year-old woman was also arrested alongside him; she is alleged to have helped conceal the money.
- Cameras at the residence captured them having sex.
- The police seized assets worth approximately 215 million baht, including 16 kg of gold.
- Following his arrest, the monk was defrocked.
The rector of a well-known church has been arrested on suspicion of embezzlement
On 10 September, the Thai police detained Phra Wachirayana Vi, better known as Luang Pho Atichot, — the abbot of the royal monastery Wat Phutthayasawan in Ayutthaya Province.
The temple was founded in the 14th century and is one of the country’s most famous historic Buddhist shrines.
The 66-year-old abbot has been charged with, amongst other things, misappropriation of property, abuse of office and money laundering. A 47-year-old woman was also arrested alongside him; investigators suspect her of assisting in the transfer and concealment of funds.
Over 92 million baht did not reach the temple’s account
According to the head of the crime-fighting unit Pattanasa Ka Bupphasuwana, investigators identified two main streams of money coming in on behalf of the church.
About. 89 million baht were donations towards the repair and development of the monastery. Approximately another 2.8 million baht earned from the sale of Buddhist amulets and other religious items.
However, according to the police, these funds were never credited to the church’s official account. The total amount of the potential loss exceeded 92 million baht — approximately $2.8 million.
The investigation believes that the abbot passed some of the money to a close associate, after which the funds may have been converted into other assets and registered in the names of third parties.
The police seized 16 kg of gold and land title deeds
As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized assets with a total value of approximately 215 million baht.
Among the items seized were around 16 kg of gold bars and jewellery, as well as 28 land title deeds. Investigators are now determining which assets were the personal property of those involved and which may have been purchased using church funds.
Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau of Thailand Nattasak Chao-wanasai stated that the investigation would be expanded to identify other possible participants in the scheme.
CCTV cameras captured sexual activity at the abbot’s residence
The case was not limited to financial allegations.
In Thai media CCTV footage from the abbot’s residence has been released. According to the police, the footage shows Phra Wachirayan Wi engaging in sexual activity with a 47-year-old woman.
One of the posts shows a couple on a table inside the monk’s residence. The video was widely broadcast on Thai television channels.
The local newspaper Thairath reported that the police subsequently seized the round table as material evidence as part of criminal proceedings.
For Buddhist monks in Thailand The vow of celibacy is in force, so sexual relations constitute a gross breach of monastic rules. Shortly after Atichot’s arrest stripped of their monastic status.
The church has influential supporters
Wat Phutthayasawan is a well-known royal monastery with a large following amongst civil servants, businesspeople, military personnel and police officers.
Luang Phor Atichot was also known for crafting religious amulets. According to *The Straits Times*, the Thai Prime Minister was among those who wore the amulets he had created Anutin Charnvirakul.
It was precisely the church’s status and the scale of the property seized that made this case one of the most high-profile in the country in recent times.
The court remanded the defendants in custody
On 11 September, the court refused to grant bail to the former abbot and his 47-year-old accomplice.
They were remanded in custody for at least 12 days — from 11 to 23 September. The court highlighted the seriousness of the charges and the risk that the suspects might tamper with evidence or interfere with the investigation.
The investigation into the financial transactions is ongoing. The police must establish the origin of the seized assets, identify all possible participants in the scheme, and determine what proportion of the property may have been purchased with funds intended for the monastery.
